Signatures for Extreme Risk Protection Orders Validated; Measure Will Appear on the November 2025 Ballot
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has announced that the Safe Schools, Safe Communities campaign filed enough valid signatures to appear on the 2025 ballot. Read MORE.
In just over two months, over 600 volunteers gathered more than 80,000 signatures to place an Extreme Risk Protection Order on the November 2025 ballot. The signatures were filed with the Secretary of State on January 23rd. The Maine Gun Safety Coalition and our allies launched the Safe Schools, Safe Communities citizen initiative to protect our communities from another tragedy like the 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston. Families need all available tools if a loved one is in crisis; the yellow flag law falls short of providing what an ERPO would provide. Read WHY. Safe Schools, Safe Communities is a campaign of MGSC, a 501.c.4 organization. Donations are not tax deductible.
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2025 Legislative Session Priorities
Prohibition of Bump Stocks
An Act to Update the Statutory Definition of “Machine Gun” and Prohibit Possession of a Rapid-fire Device; LD 677
In the spring of 2024 the Legislature passed a bill that would have banned bump stocks and other rapid-fire conversion devices. It was vetoed by Governor Mills. An assault weapon was used by the perpetrator of the Lewiston massacre. Between 2015 and 2022, mass shootings (four or more people killed) where assault weapons were used resulted in nearly six times as many people shot, more than twice as many people killed, and 23 times as many people wounded per incident on average. Bump stocks are used to convert a semi-automatic rifle to a rapid-fire weapon, with a machine gun like capability. They were used in the Las Vegas shooting in 2017. Mainers deserve to be free of firearms and devices whose only purpose is to kill more people. See MORE.
Protect the 72 Hr. Waiting Period
LD 208 has been introduced to repeal the waiting period law adopted last session. In addition a law suit has been filed arguing that the law is unconstitutional. ANDREA BECKWITH, et al. v. AARON M. FREY, in his personal capacity and in his official capacity as Attorney General of Maine. MGSC, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Maine Assn. of Psychiatric Physicians, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence have collectively been granted status as Amici Curiae to argue against the preliminary injunction sought by plaintiffs preventing implementation of the law. On February 13, 2025, Chief US District Judge Lance Walker granted a preliminary injunction pausing the implementation of the law while the case makes its way through the court system and the decision is being appealed. Learn MORE about why the 72 waiting period is critical.
Prohibition of Ghost Guns
An Act Regarding the Serialization of Firearms; LR 853; still awaiting LD assignment
Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that are assembled at-home by individual firearm components purchased either as a kit or as separate pieces by customers and assembled into fully functioning firearms. Manufacturers of ghost guns knowingly sell these unserialized components, allowing purchasers to assemble a firearm at home without going through a background check or following any other state or federal laws around gun purchases. A ghost gun was used to murder the UnitedHealthcare executive in December 2024. There’s no good reason anyone should be able to purchase parts and assemble a gun that’s marketed as unserialized and untraceable. See MORE.
Increased Safe Storage Requirements
An Act to Promote the Secure Storage of Firearms; LR 2125; still awaiting LD assignment
This bill seeks to ensure that firearms are stored safely and not accessible to either children or persons prohibited from possessing firearms. Child access prevention laws make a difference. But MORE can be done. The exact proposals are being crafted now.
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FOR RELEASE: March 7, 2025
Contact: press@mainegunsafety.org
Signatures for Extreme Risk Protection Orders validated; measure will appear on the November 2025 ballot
PORTLAND – Today the Secretary of State’s office validated signatures for the Safe Schools, Safe Communities initiative, which the Maine Gun Safety Coalition turned in on Jan. 23. This November, Maine voters will have the chance to join 21 other states by passing Extreme Risk Protection Orders to help prevent tragedies and save lives.
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition launched the Safe Schools, Safe Communities signature gathering drive on Nov. 5, 2024 after lawmakers failed to pass an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law during the 2024 legislative session following the tragedy in Lewiston. In just over two months, more than 600 volunteers gathered 80,000 signatures to qualify, including signatures from voters in every county.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders empower family members to directly petition a court when a loved one is in crisis and may pose a threat to themselves or others. Through due process, a judge can temporarily limit someone’s access to deadly weapons. Under an ERPO law, both family members and law enforcement have more tools to intervene quickly before a crisis becomes a tragedy.
“This was the final hurdle in a process that began in the aftermath of Lewiston, as people across Maine and family members of those lost asked how we prevent this from ever happening again,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition (MGSC). “This past fall, tens of thousands of Mainers decided to step up where elected leaders didn’t, and put a real Extreme Risk Protection Order law on the ballot. This is a proven, commonsense tool for families that’s been effective in many other states in saving countless lives and preventing tragedies like Lewiston.”
Historic Progress on Gun Safety Measures in 2024 Legislative Session
DDecember 2024: Maine Most Improved in Gun Safety Legislation on Giffords Scorecard
What’s New at the Federal Level:
February 2025 Executive Order “Protecting Second Amendment Rights”
The order establishes a review of all federal orders and regulations for compliance with the Second Amendment.
January 2025 White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Ceases Operations
On September 26, 2024 the Biden-Harris Administration had announced new measures and funding to prevent gun violence. They included $135 million to fund the implementation of extreme risk protection orders at the state level. However in January 2024, the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention was disbanded.